I recently learned of another woman Pastor Friend who has experienced a lack of integrity which has caused significant pain for many, many people. To be sure the situation is not hers and hers alone. But because of her public role of leadership the damage has the potential of spreading much farther than I am sure she ever thought possible. My heart is heavy for her and everyone who is intimately involved. Yet even as I was hearing the news via letters written by herself and her husband my first thought was that God can and will restore anything we set at his feet and ask him to restore.
This is most definitely NOT what you expect from a Christian Woman, and yet we all sin. Every single one of us. How much grace does she deserve? Every last drop that I want for myself when I sin.
Sin is sin in God's eyes. One sin is not less or more than the other. In man's eyes though: Murder is worse than stealing a candy bar. Rape is worse than gossip. A little white lie is acceptable. We forget that all sin has the potential to do extensive damage to those around us and it definitely impacts our own spirit.
Should she be in a position of leadership again? Only time will tell. She and her husband are fantastic pastors. How he handles this situation over time will answer that question.
To have a lapse of integrity that is life changing, then admit it knowing how serious the consequences will be is an admirable thing. When was the last time you admitted you had done wrong? Before you were called on it?
My prayer for my Pastor Friend is that God bathes her with his Grace, Mercy and Love. That this situation will become a testimony to God's Grace, Mercy and Love. I pray that everyone who has been immediately affected by her actions experience the same Grace, Mercy and Love. I pray that relationships are healed and grow stronger than ever imagined. I pray that what could have destroyed so many lives, instead becomes a tool to inspire life in all who hear this testimony.
The last time I spoke to her was to thank her for leading by example. Again I say, Thank you Pastor Friend for leading by example.
This is most definitely NOT what you expect from a Christian Woman, and yet we all sin. Every single one of us. How much grace does she deserve? Every last drop that I want for myself when I sin.
Sin is sin in God's eyes. One sin is not less or more than the other. In man's eyes though: Murder is worse than stealing a candy bar. Rape is worse than gossip. A little white lie is acceptable. We forget that all sin has the potential to do extensive damage to those around us and it definitely impacts our own spirit.
Should she be in a position of leadership again? Only time will tell. She and her husband are fantastic pastors. How he handles this situation over time will answer that question.
To have a lapse of integrity that is life changing, then admit it knowing how serious the consequences will be is an admirable thing. When was the last time you admitted you had done wrong? Before you were called on it?
My prayer for my Pastor Friend is that God bathes her with his Grace, Mercy and Love. That this situation will become a testimony to God's Grace, Mercy and Love. I pray that everyone who has been immediately affected by her actions experience the same Grace, Mercy and Love. I pray that relationships are healed and grow stronger than ever imagined. I pray that what could have destroyed so many lives, instead becomes a tool to inspire life in all who hear this testimony.
The last time I spoke to her was to thank her for leading by example. Again I say, Thank you Pastor Friend for leading by example.
Romans 8:38-39
Amplified Bible (AMP)
38For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things [a]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment